In an era where big pharma is still trying to cure the world’s most challenging diseases, 15-year-old Herman Bekele has emerged as another beacon of hope.
Recognized by Time as the 2024 Kid of the Year, Bekele’s groundbreaking invention—a soap that could potentially treat and prevent skin cancer—stands as a testament to his brilliance and compassion.
Bekele’s journey began in Ethiopia, where he saw laborers working under the harsh sun with no protection. His parents constantly warned him about the dangers of sun exposure without sunscreen and proper clothing. Herman’s family then moved to the United States, where he continued his scientific pursuits, experimenting with everyday household items like dish soap. At age seven, he received a chemistry set for Christmas, laying the foundation for his future as an inventor and scientist.
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Bekele’s innovation
Driven by curiosity and a deep sense of purpose, Bekele delved into the complexities of skin cancer, a disease that claims countless lives each year. His research led him to discover the drug imiquimod, which is used to treat certain forms of skin cancer. Traditionally, this drug is applied as a cream, with treatment costs soaring up to $40,000—a hefty price tag that excludes many from access. However, Bekele saw a different approach that was both effective and accessible.
The idea was deceptively simple: incorporate imiquimod into a bar of soap. The logic was straightforward—everyone uses soap, making it an ideal medium for delivering cancer treatment directly to the skin. But turning this idea into reality required more than just imagination; it demanded rigorous scientific experimentation.
With the support of his mentors, namely molecular biologist Vito Rebecca, Bekele began the meticulous process of developing a soap that could retain the drug’s potency even after being washed off. As a result, he created a soap containing nanoparticles that delivered imiquimod at the molecular level, ensuring that the treatment remained on the skin after use.
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Bekele’s recognition
Bekele’s innovation has garnered international attention due to its scientific merit and potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. His creation—a soap—is more than just a product; it’s a representation of what’s achievable when science meets empathy. It also provides a glimpse into a future where life-saving treatments are accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy.
Bekele has received numerous honors over the years, and this recognition from Time is just the latest. Just last year, he was named America’s Top Young Scientist and received a $25,000 award from the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. This also provided him with access to the state-of-the-art laboratories of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to conduct further tests on his soap. These tests, which include trials on mice, are crucial steps in the long process of obtaining regulatory approval for his invention.
Bekele’s journey from Ethiopia to becoming Time’s Kid of the Year is one of tenacity, hope, and ingenuity. It serves as a reminder that sometimes the youngest minds and the most unlikely settings can offer solutions to our most pressing problems. His story is a call to action for a more equitable approach to healthcare innovation and an inspiration for young scientists everywhere.
